Lopez to face Becerra in first compound women’s final at Pan American Games

A select group of 10 compound women competed in the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

Colombia’s Sara Lopez and Andrea Becerra of Mexico will contest the first compound women’s title in the history of the Pan American Games on Saturday 10 August in Lima, Peru. The compound bow was added to the sports programme of this continental multisport event for the first time this year.

“There’s only a few of us but the level is high, there’s a lot of camaraderie. We are all making history here and no matter who the winner is, we are all part of the history being made for compound archery,” said Lopez.

The world number two and the top seed in Lima beat Beatriz Aliaga of Peru, 145-142, in the quarterfinals and the USA’s Paige Pearce, 149-142, in the semis.

“I knew the top three was going to be Paige, Andrea and me, in no particular order, and I knew that the match with Paige was going to happen in either the semis or the final,” said Sara.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen this fast, but I’m very happy with how it all worked out.”

There are not many major events held using the Olympic format, with each individual match shot one-by-one in the arena and in front of television cameras. Compound athletes have one more with the style’s introduction to these Games.

“It’s exciting and it gives a lot more importance to what we are doing because we are in a prestigious competition and it’s important that each of us get the chance to be featured on camera,” she said.

The 19-year-old Mexican archer defeated Marla Cintron of Puerto Rico in the quarters, 146-141, and then Argentina's Eugenia Gonzalez, 143-141, to make the final.

“I’m super happy but not fully satisfied,” said Becerra. “I know I could have done better shots. I was battling a bit with the wind and the cold, as I come from a very sunny place in Mexico. I know the gold medal match will be a difficult one, but I’ll give my best.”

The temperature in Lima has averaged 15 degrees Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) with humidity over 70%. It’s felt much colder than that.

Becerra said that her recent victory at the multisport event for student athletes in Napoli, Italy had given her confidence ahead of these Pan American Games.

“It helped me believe that I can do it. It’s something I was missing. I will give all my best against Sara and I know she will do so as well,” she added. “It’s a privilege for both of us to be in that gold final.”